Nigeria Extradites Suspected Murder, Drug Trafficking Fugitive to UK

The Nigeria Police Force has extradited Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi to the United Kingdom over allegations of murder and drug trafficking.

In a statement issued Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer DCP Anthony Okon Placid said the extradition was coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja after a formal request from UK authorities in September 2024.

Adebiyi is accused of involvement in the killing of Joshua Boadu on June 18, 2018, in the UK. Investigators say he left the country shortly after the incident and returned to Nigeria.

He is also wanted in connection with the supply of crack cocaine, classified as a Class-A drug, between October 2017 and March 2018.

INTERPOL operatives arrested Adebiyi in Abuja on January 23, 2025. Legal proceedings followed at the Federal High Court in Lagos under case number FHC/L/CS/416/2025.

On February 16, 2026, Justice A.O. Faji approved the extradition request in line with Nigeria’s Extradition Act. Authorities subsequently issued a surrender warrant, leading to Adebiyi’s transfer to UK law enforcement officials on April 14, 2026, at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu said the case reflects Nigeria’s position on cross-border crime.

He stated that the police will continue to work with international partners to ensure individuals accused of serious offences are returned to face prosecution.